"Rustam Lassos Rakhsh", Folio from a Shahnama (Book of Kings)
Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
ca. 1450 · Ink and opaque watercolor on paper · Islamic Art
In this highly Persianate Shahnama produced in India in the fifteenth century, we see the hero Rustam, identifiable by his tiger-skinned robe, as he first captures Rakhsh, the steed that would accompany him on his adventures. When Rustam lassoed Rakhsh, the horse’s mother charged like a furious elephant, but Rustam sent her off with a slap on the withers. Rustam mounted Rakhsh and sped like the wind. This was certainly the horse to carry him to his deeds of glory.
- Artist
- Abu'l Qasim Firdausi
- Date
- ca. 1450
- Medium
- Ink and opaque watercolor on paper
- Department
- Islamic Art
- Credit line
- Rogers Fund, 1972
